Contemporary Necklaces
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Aventurine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Tanzanite, Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling...
2010s French Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Brown Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Crystal, Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Rock Crystal, Emerald...
1990s Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold,...
2010s Russian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Quartz, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Tourmaline, Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Quartz, Diamond, Amethyst, Sterli...
1990s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 10k Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Yellow Gold